Ranil calls for unity within opposition

Colombo, August 25 (Daily Mirror) - Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed his party and some key opposition members that they must remain united at this moment and fight to ensure that democracy is upheld. 

The Daily Mirror learns that when senior politicians had visited him at the Colombo National Hospital last morning, Wickremesinghe had stressed for unity within all opposition parties and requested all to leave aside their political differences. 

A senior party source said that Wickremesinghe continued to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital as he was being treated for dehydration and high blood pressure. Wickremesinghe's wife, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe who had also visited her husband in the ICU had still been in shock and had expressed concern over his health. 

As of yesterday all opposition leaders had vowed to come together seeking for Wickremesinghe's release citing that there was no distinction between a personal and official visit for a head of state.Some party leaders had also met Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last afternoon and had sought his support to which Premadasa had replied positively. UNP Seniors last evening had also met Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha in Colombo and discussed their concerns and the UNP is expected to meet a visiting US Delegation who are arriving in Colombo today. 

Sources said that some key international human rights groups had also contacted the UNP members and had sought details leading to Wickremesinghe's arrest. 

As of today, all opposition party leaders and its members are expected to gather in Colombo tomorrow as Wickremesinghe's case is expected to be heard again and will call for his release via a bail application. Senior party members said that the Presidents of three leading countries had also telephoned the UNP General Secretary Vajira Abeygunawardena and had discussed the latest developments.